Amanda Henry is the author of the new book The Financial Abundance Blueprint: A Black Woman's Guide to Achieve Financial Literacy, Build a Successful Career, and Break Boundaries. She is the founder of the platform Living In the Abundance.
Q: What inspired you to write The Financial Abundance Blueprint?
A: Honestly, I wrote this book for the version of me that was smart, ambitious, and doing all the “right” things—but still feeling stuck. I had climbed the corporate ladder, paid off $65K in debt, and grown my income significantly, but for a while, I still didn’t feel financially free.
I realized it wasn’t just about working hard or budgeting—it was about having a clear, repeatable game plan to thrive at work *and* build wealth.
So, I turned my journey and the lessons I’ve taught in workshops and coaching into a blueprint others could follow, especially first-gen college grads and working women of color who deserve to thrive in their 9-5 and beyond.
Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?
A: The title The Financial Abundance Blueprint actually came from Ulysses Press! We played around with a few titles infusing words such as Corporate Queen, Career & Money Playbook, etc…. Ultimately, Ulysses really wanted the financial aspect to stand out while also tying in my brand “Living In The Abundance.”
We were intentional to have the subtitle call out the differentiator of this book, which is that it serves as a duo career and money guide for young professionals seeking to literally break boundaries and live their best life on a 9 to 5 income. It truly is a blueprint of sorts that connects track after track to enable folks to work smarter, not harder as they navigate this thing called adulthood.
Q: Who do you see as the perfect audience for this book?
A: My target audience is someone I lovingly refer to as Alisha Jones. She’s a first-gen college grad or a woman from an underrepresented group who didn’t grow up with a financial safety net or insider knowledge on how to “play the game.”
She’s ambitious, hard-working, and navigating a world where the rules were never made with her in mind. Whether she’s dealing with student loans, impostor syndrome, or the pressure to succeed for her family and community, she’s doing her best to build a life of stability and success—but still feels like she’s missing a blueprint.
The Financial Abundance Blueprint gives her that plan. It helps her take control of her career, maximize her money, and create lasting wealth—without burning out or shrinking herself to fit in. This book is for the woman who’s ready to thrive on her own terms.
Q: What impact did it have on you to write the book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
A: Writing this book was healing. It made me slow down and honor how far I’ve come—and how many lessons were hidden in moments I once saw as failures. I cried, laughed, and played a lot of 90s R&B while writing it.
My biggest hope is that readers walk away feeling seen, equipped, and empowered. That they realize they’re not behind, and that with the right mindset and strategy, they can *absolutely* create a fulfilling life for themselves funded by their 9-5.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Right now, I’m focused on expanding the Living In The Abundance brand—through digital resources, live workshops, and my new nonprofit Thrive Into Adulthood Foundation, which helps young Black and Brown women develop the life skills they weren’t taught in school.
I’m also doing speaking engagements, building out the community side of the brand, and enjoying this season of being a mom, wife, and Mrs. Arizona United States 2024!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Yes—this book is more than just a motivational read. It’s truly a mini textbook on how to navigate your career and your money as a working professional. I designed it to feel like a two-sided ‘90s album—read it all the way through once to get the full vibe, then go back and revisit specific tracks whenever you need a refresher or a boost.
Whether you’re dealing with some corporate politics, figuring out how to invest, or just trying to survive a Monday at work, there’s a section in here for you. It’s packed with practical tools, real-life examples, and mindset shifts to help you stay ahead of the game—because financial freedom shouldn’t be reserved for the privileged few. You deserve it too.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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